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B-MAIL
A monthly newsletter on issues and events in the bee world, provided by IBRA,
the world information service for bee science and beekeeping.
:From Andrew Matheson, Director
**June 1995**
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IN THIS ISSUE
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* Bee disease reporting
* IBRA on the web
* Meeting details: USA, pollination, South Africa
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BEE DISEASE REPORTING
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If you're interested in bee diseases, especially if you're involved in
control and prevention programmes, you should be aware of the OIE: the Office
International des Epizooties (OIE), based in Paris.
This body reports animal health information originating from delegates of OIE
member countries (currently some 123 in number), with a view to subsequent
publication in one of the organization's books or serials. For serious
diseases with the potential for rapid spread the OIE acts as a reporting
centre, with member countries required to notify the disease's presence
within 24 hours.
Setting up a system for reporting animal diseases was one of the main reasons
for establishing the OIE some 70 years ago. Diseases were prioritized and
placed on different lists, according to their level of severity. (No bee
diseases are included in the highest category at present).
Things have changed since the 1920s; some diseases that were initially high
priority have lost significance, others have gained in importance and still
others have emerged. Tools for disease control are stronger. There have
been massive changes in the risks of disease transfer, thanks to improvements
in global transportation.
The reporting system of the OIE is currently being reviewed, and industry and
regulatory personnel should be lobbying now to ensure that bee diseases are
treated appropriately. The next meeting of the OIE standards commission will
be in September 1995, and proposed changes to the categorization of diseases
will be discussed and probably adopted.
There are some limitations on the bee disease information published by the
OIE.
Only five bee diseases are considered of sufficient importance to warrant the
systematic collection of data and the preparation of health recommendations
for international trade in bees (AFB, EFB, nosema disease, and infestation
with the mites Varroa jacobsoni and Acarapis woodi). This list omits the
serious mite parasite Tropilaelaps clareae and other possibly significant
parasites of the genera Tropilaelaps and Varroa, but includes one disease of
practically universal distribution (nosema disease).
The delegates of OIE member countries are, in general, the heads of
government veterinary services in their respective countries. Differences
exist in reporting standards for bee diseases: some member states may have a
high level of bee health surveillance, while for others bees may be of much
less importance. Some countries may even have to use their limited animal
health resources to cope with formidable epizootic diseases, including ones
with serious implications for human health.
Not all countries are members, and of the members, not all furnish reports.
Nevertheless, some OIE records are useful, especially where they cover gaps
in the bee science literature, and OIE criteria underpin much of the
certification which governs international movement of bees and bee products.
For further information:
International animal health code: mammals, birds and bees (OIE, Paris, 1992,
550 pp) Apicultural Abstracts reference 642/95.
International animal health code: mammals, birds and bees - 1993 & 1994
updates. (OIE, Paris, 138 pp) Apicultural Abstracts reference 643/95.
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IBRA ON THE WEB
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During May the International Bee Research Association launched itself onto
the Worldwide Web. The current pages introduce some of the information
services available from this non-profit trust, and enable visitors to contact
IBRA directly.
Future developments will see all of IBRA's activities featured, and allow
on-line browsing of lists of journals and books available from the
organization. We will also provide links to other bee-related sites.
Visit us at
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/ibra/index.html
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PROPOLIS RESEARCH
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Valuable byproduct or lunatic fringe medicine? As with many other hive
products, propolis enjoys a somewhat mixed reputation.
One UK-based company with a growing market for propolis products is Bee
Health Ltd. The chairman, James Fearnley, has been instrumental in bringing
together a number of researchers working on propolis to share information on
their work, to try and stimulate scientific investigations into this
substance.
Members of the Oxford Propolis Research Group are currently investigating
standards for propolis in the marketplace, anti-inflammatory properties, use
of propolis in dentistry and for burns treatment, among other subjects. One
possible future development is an e.mail newsgroup or discussion group.
The contact is Robin Cooper, Rushlye, Sturt Road, Charlbury, OX7 3EP, UK.
Phone (+44) 1608-810183.
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POLLINATION SYMPOSIUM
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The first circular is out for the seventh international symposium on
pollination, organized by ICPBR (the International Commission for Plant-Bee
Relationships) and Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada.
I know from talking to Ken Richards, who is heading the organizing team, that
both the scientific and recreational programmes will be full of interest.
Get details from [log in to unmask]
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SOUTH AFRICAN SYMPOSIUM
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Developmental beekeeping in southern Africa will be the theme of a meeting on
3-4 November 1995. For more information write to PO Box 41, Modderfontein,
Gauteng 1645, Republic of South Africa.
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THE YEAR OF THE HIVE
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One hundred years after the death of Langstroth, the year of the hive is the
theme of the Eastern Apicultural Society conference. Beekeepers from the US
and Canada, and probably further afield, will be converging on Wooster, Ohio,
for the main meeting on 2-4 August 1995 and the short course from 31 July to
2 August.
EAS meetings are always good, and the imaginative programme for this one
promises to be a real winner. For more information write to EAS 95, 623 West
Liberty Street, Medina, OH 44256 or phone (+1) 212 725-6677.
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AND THE FOUNDATION
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The EAS does a lot towards promoting bee research through its awards for
scientists and students, and more recently with its foundation for honey bee
research. To find out how to contribute to this worthwhile foundation,
contact the EAS secretary, Box 300A County Home Road, Essex, NY 12936, USA.
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MORE INFORMATION SERVICES
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Fancy some banana worm bread, or rootworm beetle dip? For these and more
tasty insect recipes, look at:
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~entomology/InsectsAsFood.html
Job opportunities in entomology can be found at:
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entomology/jobs.html
and the entomology image gallery is:
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~entomology/ImageGallery.html
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WHAT DOES IBRA DO?
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Last month I outlined briefly the aims of the International Bee Research
Association. We achieve these aims primarily by providing the world's most
comprehensive information service on bee science and beekeeping.
IBRA publishes three highly-respected quarterly journals.
Bee World: topical articles and reviews for beekeepers and scientists
Journal of Apicultural Research
: a wide range of original research papers
Apicultural Abstracts: quick access to the world's beekeeping literature
Our main library in Cardiff has a wealth of material on bees and beekeeping.
Material can be copied or lent to members.
IBRA's specialist mail-order service supplies publications on bees and
beekeeping - from our own publishing house and others. All purchases help to
support our charitable work.
Conferences organized by IBRA bring together people with specific interests.
Next month: a more detailed look at the journals.
Andrew Matheson
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Return address:
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